Police make mass arrest over gang violence

Police tape drawn at the scene of a gang violence in capital Male. PHOTO/MIHAARU

There was a mass arrest of 13 people over the stabbing of a youth near the parliament in capital Male this past weekend.

The young man, whose identity is yet undisclosed, was rushed to privately run ADK Hospital after he was attacked by a group on Friday night.

Maldives Police Service had staged a major operation to apprehend the perpetrators of the gang violence, who were discovered inside a house in Maafannu ward. According to Police, the suspects were trying to get rid of the weapons they had used at the time of the raid.

The suspects arrested include four people who were physically involved in the gang violence as well as minors.

Minors released

The Juvenile Court released four minors who were taken under custody in the mass arrest, Police stated late on Saturday.

The Criminal Court has remanded the other nine suspects by 15 days for the police investigation. While Police said that they had submitted sufficient evidence to remand the minors as well, the Juvenile Court ruled to release them.

Police did not give a reason for the court’s decision.

Another stabbing in Hulhumale

A young man was also fatally stabbed in a gang violence incident in reclaimed suburb Hulhumale on the same night as the attack in Male.

Haris Abdul Qafoor, 24, of Gaafu Alif atoll Dhaandhoo island, was stabbed eight times in a secluded area. According to witnesses, he was attacked by a group of men on motorcycles.

He was rushed to the hospital, where he shortly after passed away from his injuries.

Police have not yet revealed whether any arrests have been made over his murder.

The past weekend also saw the sudden deaths of two youths, Ahmed Hameen, 21, and Fathimath Sama, 18, during a party in Hulhumale late on Thursday night. According to credible sources, their deaths were caused by strong party drugs mixed into energy drinks.